Knee Injury Kos Steelers’ Bruener For Season

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Mark Bruener, who injured his left knee in a 24-17 victory Monday at Miami, underwent surgery Wednesday and will miss the rest of the season.

Bruener was put on the injured reserve list and cannot return until next season.

“We’ll miss him. He’s one of the best blockers in the league,” quarterback Mike Tomczak said.

Bruener, the Steelers’ 1995 first-round draft choice from the University of Washington, has only 12 receptions, but his blocking was critical to Pittsburgh’s running game. Jerome Bettis’ nine 100-yard games rank second in team history to Barry Foster’s 12 in 1992.

Bruener has started every game since moving into the starting lineup six weeks into the 1995 season. He was injured while making his 12th catch of the season, a 36-yarder in the second quarter, and had the surgery after an MRI test revealed damage to the knee.

Jonathan Hayes, a 12-year NFL veteran, will replace Bruener, and Kirk Botkin, primarily a long snapper, also may get more work in the Steelers’ two tight-end sets.

Keyshawn wants more attention

Keyshawn Johnson of the New York Jets said he needs to see the ball early to be effective all game.

It’s not that the top pick in this year’s draft hasn’t gotten his share of attention from Jets quarterbacks. Johnson has 46 receptions for 583 yards and five touchdowns. But he had only one catch for 10 yards in Sunday’s loss at Buffalo. He also had three drops.

“As a receiver, if you are not into the rhythm early, it takes something away from you,” said Johnson. “I like to get the ball early, get the flow a receiver needs.”

Around the league

Isaac Bruce signed a four-year contract extension with the St. Louis Rams. Bruce is among the league leaders in receiving, ranking second behind Jake Reed of Minnesota with 1,005 yards on 65 catches… . Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Scott Brumfield was released from Christ Hospital, where he had been recuperating from a spinal cord concussion injury he suffered Nov. 3… . The Carolina Panthers are changing quarterbacks for the fourth time this season. Kerry Collins’ injured throwing shoulder has healed enough for him to take over the starter’s job from Steve Beuerlein… . Thurman Thomas will probably be sidelined this week against Indianapolis with a sprained left ankle… . With Jeff Gossett sidelined for the season with broken ribs, the Raiders signed five-time Pro Bowl punter Rich Camarillo.